A Shugendo Day-Trip Guided by a Real Yamabushi Monk
Where Mountains Breathe - Echoes of Ancient Japanese Spirituality
Embark on a profound journey into the heart of Japan's spiritual heritage with this exclusive, one-day immersive experience. This special tour offers a rare opportunity to connect deeply with
Why This Tour is Extraordinary
A Sacred Destination:
Your journey takes place in a historic mountain region once revered as one of Japan’s premier sacred training grounds for ascetics.
Guided by a Real Yamabushi:
You won’t just learn about the culture; you will experience it. A authentic Yamabushi (mountain ascetic monk) will serve as your spiritual guide, sharing insights into the traditional Japanese worldview and our deep-rooted relationship with nature.
Seamless Communication:
Language barriers disappear as a professional English interpreter will accompany the group throughout the day, ensuring you don't miss a single story or teaching.
Experience the Authentic Soul of Japan
This isn't just sightseeing - it is an authentic encounter with the core values, history, and spiritual philosophy that have shaped the Japanese mindset for centuries.
Whether you are looking to escape the hustle of the city, connect with nature, or gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, this unforgettable day-trip promises to leave you feeling grounded and inspired.
Price
Yamabushi Experience Tour at Kosuge Shrine【Day-trip】
1 person
| Adults・Children same amount | 85400Yen Same price for elementary school students and older. No preschool children allowed. Minimum : 2 persons / Maximum : 6 persons |
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Plan Details
| Period |
2026/7/1(Wed)～2025/10/31(Fri) |
|---|---|
| What is included in the travel/plan price |
・Guided spiritual training fee ・Rental of traditional white practitioner robes ・Shojin Ryori lunch (Traditional Buddhist vegetarian meal: Rice balls and Japanese pickles) ・English-speaking guide / Interpreter services ・Travel insurance ・All applicable taxes (including consumption tax) |
| Minimum number of participants per group | 4 person/people |
| Minimum number of participants | 4 person/people |
| Maximum number of participants | 10 person/people |
| Tour Conductor | No |
| Start Time | 9:00 |
| Tour Time | About 6 hours |
| Reservation Deadline | 7 days before travel date |
| Payment Method |
Creditcard 
|
- Tour itinerary -
| Time | Itinerary |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | Meet at Kosuge Assembly Hall (Kosuge Shuraku Kodo) |
| Upon meeting your Yamabushi guide, you will receive an orientation about the day's itinerary and what to expect. Additionally, your guide will assist you in learning how to dress in the sacred practitioners' attire loaned to you for this experience. | |
| 9:30 | Begin the pilgrimage ascent of Mt. Kosuge |
| Mt. Kosuge has been revered since ancient times as a sacred site for Shugendo (mountain asceticism). On this approximately 2.5-hour hike, your Yamabushi guide will share insights at key spots along the way as you make your way toward the Kosuge Shrine Okusha (Inner Shrine) near the summit. | |
| 12:00 | Arrive at Kosuge Shrine (Inner Shrine) & Lunch |
| Arrive at the Kosuge Shrine Inner Shrine for a well-deserved rest. Heal your fatigue with a traditional Shojin-ryori meal of rice balls and pickles, stepping back in time to eat just as the Yamabushi monks once did. | |
| 13:00 | Begin descent |
| Around 14:00 | Complete the descent, Tour wrap-up (reflection) and Change clothes |
| Arrive back at the base of the mountain. We will then gather for a brief tour wrap-up to reflect on the day's journey, followed by time to change clothes. | |
| Around 15:00 | Tour concludes / Dismissal at Kosuge Assembly Hall (Kosuge Shuraku Kodo) |
- Meeting Place -
Address is displayed when location is selected.
Kosuge Assembly Hall (Kosuge Shuraku Kodo)
- Important Points -
- Transportation to the meeting point is not included. Please make your own arrangements.
- Please bring a boxed lunch, or easy to eat snacks such as onigiri rice balls, sandwiches etc
*There is a lunch break in the middle of the experience. - Please bring sufficient bottled water for a half day hike
- Tour fee: Same price for elementary school students and older. No preschool children allowed.
Minimum : 2 persons / Maximum : 6 persons - An instructor of Yamabushi does not speak English, so an English interpreter will accompany him
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
- Light rain or rainy weather will not affect the experience. However, in case of severe weather, we will notify you of the decision to proceed by the day before.
- If anyone in the group is injured during the Yamabushi experience, the guide may ask the group to go down the mountain at his decision.
- Other -
- What's included: Guide for Yamabushi experience, Yamabushi robes renatl, Insurance, and Various taxes such as consumption tax fee.
- Recommended clothing and gears: Hiking clothes, Hiking shoes, backpack, waterproofs, extra layers, sunscreen, bug repellent
- A tour guide will not be accompanied.
- Cancellation Fee -
In cases where the customer cancels the contract after the contract has been completed, 1 customer will be charged a cancellation fee from their travel fee at the following rates. In cases where multiple people are participating and a portion of the customers cancel their contracts, we will charge the remaining customers a fee based on the difference according to the change in the number of people (around 1 vehicle/1 room per person) using transport and accommodation facilities.
| Cancellation 20 days before the start date | Cancellation 7 days before the start date | Cancellation the day before the start date | Cancellation on the start date | Cancel after tour departure or no-show |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 100% |
- Plan Provider Company -
Shinshu-Iiyama Tourism Bureau
1110-1, Iiyama, Iiyama city, Nagano
Registration of Travel Services：Governor of NaganoTravel Services Type 2 492
Certified Domestic Travel Services Manager：Seki Aimi
Contact Phone Number：0269-62-3133
Application
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Plan Contents
